Posted on 05/25/2007 4:28:35 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear
This creature had been part of my life for almost 17 years. He wasn't exactly a normal cat. He was built like a medium sized dog. When he was healthy he weighed over 20 pounds. Today he weighed just over 10 pounds and was skin and bone.
He had been sick on and off for about a year. Antibiotics helped but he never completely recovered. This morning he really looked bad. We called the vet and took him in. I already expected the worst. The vet said his temp was 92 F (normal is about 101). I expected him to have a fever because was looking for cool places to lie down.
It was so hard but I asked the Vet to put him to sleep. The Dr reassured me that this was the best choice, with treatments he might have another week or two and either be in pain or doped up. I said to do it and dear God it hurts. My wife and I held him and stroked his fur until long after he was gone. His cheek rested on my hand the entire time. At about 12:45 this afternoon he passed away.
Through tears, Mrs Bear said she never thought the loss of a cat would be so painful. When she first "met" him they had trouble getting along. Before getting to know her; he never liked anybody but me. After some time they warmed up to each other. Today she's heartbroken. To be honest, so am I.
Whenever she would sing he would run up to her, sit at attention and listen to her. She asked if animals go to heaven and if we will see him again. The best I could do was a verse from Ecclesiates 3:21.
He traveled with me from the US to Europe and back. Whether I was in the livingroom watching a DVD, studying at the kitchen table or FReeping; he was always right next to me. I keep expecting to turn and see him in his usual places.
Thanks for listening.
Sorry to hear, friend....
Thanks O. I’ve been directing everyone to posts 58 and 62. Eaker hosted some pics.
Thanks again and God bless you.
In truth you never get over the loss of a pet. You can only choose to love again.
I rescued a farm black lab and a black lab mix after I lost my girl.
I didn’t replace her...I will always miss her.
My waif’s needed me and they moved in and made themselves indispensable.
I’m in love again.
If you are looking for a dog, think about a Lab..
They don’t make a personable breed.
I lost my Wimpy a little over 4 years ago. He was about the same age as your cat when I had the vet make a special house call (costs more but worth it for avoiding stressing a heart patient even further) to put him to sleep. He was my little buddy and a member of my family for over 16 years. You did the right thing, but it’s still tough, I know. My Wimpy’s kidneys were going and he had congestive heart failure. To treat the kidneys would have damaged the heart, and to treat the heart would have damaged the kidneys. He was slowly winding down, and then started winding down even faster, but was not in any pain or visible discomfort when the vet warned me about the sudden pain and suffering of throwing a clot, and that’s when I had to make the decision. He enjoyed his ‘last meal’ of canned tuna and died in his favorite place, on the bearskin rug in front of the fire.
I still miss him, but we got another cat a couple of weeks after Wimpy died, and we love her, too. I’ve loved all my cats.
Jim Robinson holding Phudd.
Jim Rob holding me
Phudd chasing a bull out of Deer Camp West and claiming his cows
Phudd's cairn
It took humblegunner and I about an hour and a half to dig a tiny grave in the central Texas rock. We ruined a shovel. We then piled on about 1500 pounds of rocks.
I have pinged my idiot friend humble to verify or dispute.
He was a little dog, but he was ALL DOG!
Take care Grizzled Bear.
He & Eaker were riding in the back of the Chevy which was filled with construction materials.
It ain't a small truck.
Phudd spotted a jackrabbit in the brush off to the right.
Now Phudd was a city dog, and had never seen a jackrabbit and didn't know the terrain.
He didn't know what jackrabbits ate or if they ate Phudds for breakfast.
He didn't care.
He leaped out of the back of that truck (a 12 story drop for him)
and lit out after that jackrabbit balls-to-the-wall.
He kept up with that sucker turn for turn and twist for twist
until Eaker called him back.
The jackrabbits in those parts still whisper the legend of Phudd. In fear and amazement.
There’s no way any dog or cat would ever replace Kharas.
Today I found myself remembering him plopping down on the floor near the dish the other kitty was eating from. He would put his paw in the dish, slide it close to his face and eat. The other kitty would sit there in shock. You think she would stop being surprised after so many times.
Thanks for sharing wimpycat and God bless you.
Thanks humblegunner.
And thank you again Eaker.
GB
Sorry to hear about your loss. I also had a cat that lived to be 17. I lost Tim five years ago. My childhood dogs lived to be 17 (my folks got Otto the same year I was born) and then 20 years for Ginger, after Otto. They were total fixtures in our lives.
You and I both know that we have given GREAT lives to our beloved pets. You did the right thing, though I know it’s hard. I had to put down “The Best Dog Ever” last year. I still miss all of my pets through the years. They add so much to our lives.
Again, you did the right thing. Take consolation in that fact, have a good cry and adopt a kitten when you’re ready. :)
This thread turned from being all about me (not intended but to be honest...that’s what it was.) to learning the most amazing things about some really great people.
FReepers are the best.
You will be doing an orphan a huge favor.
I think they are grateful.
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. Prayers for you & your family ~Pandora~
Yer Scotch and I am Irish/Indian.
I can out drink you and out fight you.
But I don’t want to.
Let’s beat up Pax!
FReepers are the best.
Actually the way I ended up with the 2 big Galloots that I have now was a crying session just like this after losing Brittany.
Adoption through pet finder was suggested.
I was able to search in the general area for Lab Rescues..
I had 2 wonderful puppies before the month was out.
All my FReep buddies helped me cry, and have the guts to risk my heart again.
You need anything we have your back.
Upon Phudd’s return home he thought he was hot $hit. While assisting Eaker in removing a tick from Phudd’s neck, he actually snapped at me (extremely unacceptable behavior) ~ and was put in his place. That very same night, while trying to exhibit his superior attitude, his brother had enough of his crap.
We were all awaken around 3:00 a.m. to a major dog fight. The children just knew that Phudd was a bloody mess, because while picking him up in the dark they felt lots of moister.
Turns out his brother Mojo had enough of the attitude & basically kicked Phudd’s butt! There was no blood, just lost of dog slobber. Phudd did change his attitude after that night.
On a really sad side note – the person that ran over Phudd called our house to inform us what happened. Our daughter, Rebecca, walked down the street to pick up her dead puppy. She called her dad ~ he came home right away. He called me at work with the bad news. That afternoon Rebecca has a swim meet; I went from work to the swim meet. When I saw Rebecca I gave her a big hug ~ She asked me to not to hug her because it would make her start crying; if she started crying her best friend Abby would want to know why she was crying. She did not want to tell Abby that Phudd had died, because she did not want to mess up Abby’s swim meet.
Phudd was an amazing dog ~everyone that met him fell in love with him. He is greatly missed to this day. There will never be another one like him.
Awe!!!
I hope you either bred Phudd or at least bottled what was in his heart!
I think we should beat up Lupita.
I know.
You've proven it.
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